Our latest paper is online in Nature Communications!
PTPRK expression was found to be increased in obese human and mouse livers. Elevated hepatic expression of PTPRK triggers enhanced glycolysis, culminating in PPARγ activation and de novo lipogenesis stimulation. In mice, genetic deletion of PTPRK offers protection against the rapid development of fatty liver in an obesogenic diet and the development of liver cancer.
The study postulates PTPRK as a dual player - serving as a biomarker for hepatic metabolic adaptations that influence metabolic liver disease risk and as a potential target for the development of new therapies.
Approximately 880 million adults worldwide are obese, accounting for ~20-25% of the Belgian population. Obesity is a major risk factor for severe complications, such as the increasing risk of diabetes and liver cancer.
The work has been supported by the FNRS, TELEVIE, WELBIO, Fondation ULB, an ERC Consolidator grant and recently published in Nature Communications.
Schematic cartoon credit: Eduardo H. Gilglioni.